What’s Next

Graduating College is, what one would consider being, an accomplishment. Upon graduating graduates are celebrated then questioned. “Congratulations, now what’s next?”

What is next? For some who I’ve known my whole high school and collegiate carrier the next step is marriage, for some it’s the birth of a child, for some its heart ache. And as I’m repeatedly asked the question I answer with-- Tech, what else! But the reality hits and I am consumed with the anxiety of the “real world.” I guess I expected to be handed a job along with my diploma on graduation day.

Teaching is my passion; however, as I sit and observe the teachers in schools I am astonished at the amount of teachers who are counting down the days till the last day of school. When did teaching become more about yelling at kids and less about loving them?

Too many times we get caught up in moments and forget there are eyes upon us everywhere. As a teacher, as a coach, as administration, we are to be mentors each and everywhere in the classroom, in the gym, and in the community. We are shaping the minds of the next generation into believe its okay to disrespect, parents, friends, siblings, and teachers and ITS NOT!! What will become of the system. What's next for our schools, community, country?  

What’s next for me? …..to be still and wait.  

Ms. Carley

            I learn something new everyday from the kids in my class. I’ve learned that even though I may see them do wrong, when I ask Tommy, “Did you take Johnny’s pencil?” Tommy will look me dead in the eyes and say, “No, Ms. McCarley it wasn’t me.” Kindergarteners also believe they are invincible and know everything. For example, “Sally you sure look cute today.” “I know Ms. McCarley, trust me I know.”

            It’s hard to describe the joy that comes from teaching, but even more so from teaching someone how to write his or her name. We write our names so often that it’s just second nature. This has probably been the most rewarding thing I have experienced so far. It’s hard to believe that the name we see so often at one point was barely ledge-able, better yet barely letters. I tell my students that they must learn to write their names, because our names are important; which they and they are. 

            It is amazing the things kids will tell you. For instance Monday was Halloween and chilly, and one of my students forgot his jacket along with his cupcakes for our class party. His mother was bringing them at lunch; however, while standing in line for lunch he spits out, “If there was a phone in my pocket I could just call her.” Then proceeded to pretend he had a phone in his pocket and acted like he was calling his mother. Children are always watching and its funny the things they pick up on.

            Often when people hear that I am going to school to be an elementary teacher I get replies like: Good for you, or it takes a special person, or wow the patients you must have. It is like they are shocked, but the gratitude and respect is almost second nature. I get excited about a student reading a word or figuring out how to write a letter correctly or even saying my name correctly. When I started the school year the students for some reason could not say McCarley, so for the longest time I was Ms. Carley. I loved it and was almost sad when they started calling me by my full name, Ms. McCarley. 

             Last week we made a class book about what we would be for Halloween. I think some of them may be the next Picasso. 

 

            I’ll leave you with this quote, “If you can read, thank a teacher.” J